New Organic Waste Recycling Program
California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) was adopted in 2016 by Governor Edmund Brown Jr., which launched a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP).
According to the State, SLCPs (black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone and hydrofluorocarbons) are super polluters, which are significantly more potent than carbon dioxide and are the second biggest contributors to the man-made global greenhouse effect. Landfills are the third largest source of methane in California, and organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills; therefore, reducing SLCPs will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis.
Collection and Recycling
Implementing Senate Bill 1383 requires extensive procedural changes and significant coordination. The City of Escalon has updated collection operations, amended agreements with non-exclusive franchise haulers, amended the City’s municipal code and provided outreach and education to residents and businesses that will continue into the future.
Restaurant Recycling and Organics Bins (AB 827)
California Assembly Bill 827
Front-of-House Bin Requirements:
Effective July 1, 2020, food-generating businesses that sell products meant for immediate consumption, except full-service restaurants, are required to provide organics and recycling bins at front-of-house to be visible, easily accessible, and clearly marked and labeled to collect recyclables and food scraps and food-soiled paper generated by customers from products they purchase and consume on-site. Bins must be placed next to trash bins, easily accessible and labeled.
Back-of-House Bin Requirements:
All food-generating businesses, including full-service restaurants that bus tables for customers, must provide properly labelled bins for separate trash, recycling, and food/food-soiled paper collection containers in the back-of-house for employees to separate materials.
Getting Started
Businesses may: